Apparatus for treating carbonaceous material



Feb. 4, 1936. 1. H. DERBY Er A1. 2,029,763

. APPARATUS FOR TREATING CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL original Filed oct. 6, 1932 8 sheets-sheet 1 H. DERBY ET AL l2,029,763 APPARATUS FORTREATING CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL 1 Filed oon. e,r 1932 e sheets-smetA 2 O-rigina Feb. 4, 1936.

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'li H.. DERBY ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING CARBONACEOUSYMATERIAL Grginal Filed Oct. 6.'1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 A Srwentors Harb/a7 R Hor/1er f4 f 1/ l, 9( f Feb. 4, 1936. H. DERBY ET Al.

APPARATUS `FOR THEATING cARBoNAcEoUs MATERIAL Original Filed Oct. 6, 1932 8 Sheets- Sheet 4 Feb. 4, 1936. l. H. DERBY Er Al. 2,029,763

APPARATUS FOR TREATING cARBoNAcEoUs MATERIAL Original Filed Oct. 6, 1932' B Sheets-Sheet- 5 jar-u.

a d', i WM @mi Feb. 4, 1936. l. H, DERBY ErAL 2,029,753 y APPARATUS FOR TREATING ARBONCEOUS MATERIAL z original Filed dat. e, 1932 8 sheets-smeltD 6 Snoentors'.

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l. H. DERBY Er AL` APPARATUS FOR TREATING CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL s Sheets-sheet 7 -Orgnal File-d 0612.6, 1952 'Jnnentors Hawk? 7?. Hor-11er Ira H. ery y Gttornegs.

Feb. 4, 1936. v l. H. DERBY E'r AL 2,029,753

` I APPARATUS FOR TREATING 'CRBONCEUS MATERIAL' original Filed oct. e, 1932 f8 Sheets-sheet 8 Patented Feb. 1936 PATENT oFFlcE APPARATUS FR TREATING CABBbNA- CEOUS In n. Derby and narnia n. Horner, Indimjwus, assignors to Peter C. Reilly, Indianapolis,

- original application october s, 1932, serial Nn.-

636,812. Divided and this 18, 1933, Serial No. 685,779

application August 12 Claims. (cl. 2oz- 121) This invention relates to an improved apparatus for heating carbonaceous materials undersuch temperatures and conditions as will yield the .greatest amountof valuable materials or substances suchas condensates, a considerable carbon residue, and certain gasesg-and this under .maximum thermal efficiency and minimumoperating costs.

By carbonaceous materials we refer to such substances as coal, lignite, wood, oil shale, coal -tar pitch, petroleumcoke, pitch coke, and any 1 other material that when heated yields certain of the substances or bodies just above mentioned.

By condensate we mean all the condensible volatile matterresulting from the distillation of the above named materials. A

By gas we'mean-such substances as liquefy under normal conditions.

- Following the history of the coal carbonizing artfrom the early beehive ovenvdown to the d o not present highly efficient verticals and ,by-product ovens, the trend has been towards greater heating surface per unit of charge. At present the by-product ovens with a charge capacity of 15 tons have extended their walls to approximately 38 ft. longl by 12 ft. high by`20 in. between walls. The beehive'oven with equal capacity was approximately 12 ft. in diameter by approximately 10 ft. to the crown. 'I'hus the increased heating surface has been obtained'at the expense of an increase in the size of the equipmen More recently designers have been attempting `to obtain large heating surfaces in smaller units by the use 'of rotaries, internal heating, etc. The one great objection to internal heating is the uny certaintyof uniformly heating the entire mass of the charge. This nonuniformity is caused by i the common jlaw'of flow through the paths of least`iresistance,fthus causing the more porous vparts ofthe'fcharge to become overheat'ed while the' less porouspn'tions of the charge arepracticallyr untreated. This is especially true in coking a 'massof coal. In the gas producer design the porosity of thecoking mass of coal is obtained by mechanical pokers, moving grates, etc. In thefcoal carbonizing retort where coke is one of the products this mechanical movement would be unsatisfactory due to the amount of breeze produced.

The underlying featlne oiour apparatus is to obtain uniform heating of the mass throughout and without disturbance". .of the charge. This is accomplishedby providing4 means for forming within the mass predetermined channels I' through which the gases or vapors are drawn, the

' taken onthe line XIV-XIV ofFlg. 6;

one to use a relatively small retort and to carry ou't the process continuously, intermittently, or in batch operations.

One form Vof apparatus whereby the method may be effected, and more particularly as a continuous operation, is depicted in the annexed drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional plan taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 1*, a detail view of certain of the driving mechanisms employed -to move or 'actuate the scraper head; Y Y

Fig. 2, a vertical transverse "sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 3 showing the companion -retorts and associated combustion chambers, togetherwith other portions of the apparatus;

Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a vertical sectional view taken on the linevIV-IV of Fig. 5; Fig. 5, a similar view taken on the line V-V of Fig'. 4;

Fig. 6, a vertical sectional view taken on the line VI-.VI of Fig. 5 and showing, more particularly, thevconv'eyor mechanism employed'to discharge the treated material;

Fig. 7, a topplan view of one of the carriages employed to position a. charge within the retort;

Fig. 8, avvertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the parts on an enlarged scale and the empty car, from which the charge has been removed; withdrawn from beneath the retort; l

Fig. 9, a perspective'view of the charge-'supporting bars which are utilized in conjunction vau ' the line XII- XII of Fig. 11 illustrating the formation of the forward ends of the grate bars and the manner in which they are shaped; 1 y Fig. 13, a perspective view vshowing several of the'grate bars and the finger or supporting bars; Fig. 14, a .transverse vertical sectional view l Fig. 15, a perspective view ofthe shearing or removing head employed to remove the treated material from the upper surface of the charge;

and Y Fig. 16, a perspective view of one of the shearing teeth or blades of the scraper or cutter.

A means for forming the predetermined chan.

. nels within the mass forms the subject matter which reference is made.

of our copending application for patent filed January 4th, 1930, Serial Number 418,612, to This method will be hereinafter referred to in order that the present invention may be clearly understood.

In the construction illustrated a dual arrange-v ment of retorts is shown;-this for the purpose of economy and speed in operation. It will be evident, however, that but a single retort may be employed in effecting the method or a number greater than two may be utilized. Inasmuch as yboth retorts land the associated parts are alike in construction and operation a description of one will be given and the same reference numerals withv the exponent a will be applied to the corresponding parts of the other unit.

In thedrawings I represents a retort, prefer-4 bustion chamber 3 the portion whereof is defined by an arch I having openings extending therethrough for the passage of combustion gas or otherheating medium. The lower ends of 'these openings are so formed as to secure asubstantially even distribution of heat over the entire' upper surface vof the'charge within the retort. 'I'his is eillectedv by forming the lower portion of one side wall of each opening with an inclined vface 5 (see Fig. 4), such faces inclining outwardly to each side of the center of the arch. This permits the heat rays or flames to be reflected from the longer walls of the opening outwardly past the inclined faces and directly onto the charge over its entire extent -as indicated by the dot and dash line in Fig. 4.

As above indicated, the charges are formed in .receptacles 6 carried by cars 6h, which cars carry the charge into line with the retort. The receptacle 8 is 'of a size equal to that of the opening in the bottom of the retort and is provided with a false bottom or grate of the form best shown in Fig. 10. Said grate is composed `of a series of'bars 1 mounted upon a s'eries'oi rods i with interposed spacers 9 (Figs. 11 and 12) located on the rods between each pair of bars.

After the bars andspacers are assembled upon the `rodsthey are placed in a press and the parts welded so as to produce a firm structure. 'I'he rods l varepositioned in the lower lportion of the bars 1 so that a space is left between the spacer members 8 and the upper faces ofthe 1 of a depth sufficient to receive a series of supporting or finger bars III. These nger bars are of a height less than the distance between the upper face ofthe spacers and the upper edges of the bars 1;-this for a purpose which will shortly appear.

. The outer end of each of the bars 1, at one end of the grate, is beveled or inclined. as atl II. throughout the major portion thereoffrom thebottom upwardly (Figs. 11 and 13) Eachof theiingerbars Ilisbeveled or pointed at its outer-end, which end will, of;course,suike the beveled face II when the iingerbars are moved inwardly. as will presently appear, between the grate bars .1.

Bars I0 at the ends opposite the beveled ends are rigidly aflixed or secured to a header I2 from which latter extends a piston rod I3 actuated through an hydraulic cylinder and piston mecha'- nism indicated by I4 (Fig. 3). Anyother form of operating mechanism forshifting the supporting..

or nger bars may be employed.

It is designed, as above indicated and as set forth in our copending applications led January 4, 1930, Serial Number 418,612, and October 6, 1932, Serial Number 636,611, and also application 636,612, led October 6, 1932, of which this case is a division, to produce in the charge of material to be treated, say coal, a plurality of spaced channels extending from the upper to the lower face of the charge and -filled with a material which permits 'the free passage of gases therethrough and which is inert tothe gases and.v is infusible at the carbonizing temperatures.

Where coal is being treated these channels may be produced from coke, resulting from the process, or any other suitable material. TheyV may be formed in various ways. One way is Ato place a series of paper tubes upon the grate then resting in the bottom ',of the receptacle 6 upon a ange I2 which extends entirely. around the lower inside edge ofthe receptacle. The paper' tubes, as I3' (Figs. 3 and 5), are llled with the granular coke which spreads outwardly over the grate bars to each side of the. bottom of the tube, the lower end of which is held off of the ogrates so as to permit this spreading action. The space around v.and about the tubes is then filled with coal. The tubes may be left in place as they readily burn out and permit the shearing operation of the treated material from the upper surface of the charge, as will hereinafter appear. The outspreading of the @channeling material at the lower end thereof insures the integrity of' the passage lof such portionwhen the finger supporting bars are introduced in between the bars 1, as will be hereinafterset forth, and the Agrate is allowed to movedownwardly into the receptacle 6 from which it and the superimposed charge have been removed or forced outwardly into the retort. It is to be understood that any .means for forming the separated channels 55 may be utilized. Preferably they will be pn 'duced by a plurality Aof spaced metal tubes into which the channel. forming material is placed and about which the material to be treated is lled, the tubes being then withdrawn. This is v set forth and claimed in our copending application ied October 6, 1932, Number 636,611.` Initially the charged carV is introduced from a trackway I5 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 8) past a door I6,

which at such time is lowered. The door I6 works to normally close oi the outer end of anelongated chamber` I1 which, as will be seen upon reference to Figs. 3 and B, extends beneath the retort Iyand slightly beyond the same in order to allow certain portions of the car frame to be housed' therein. and thusbring the charge-com, t

taining portionof the car directly lunder theretort.

As the car is moved the retort a second door I8 isloweredidoor- I6 at such timebeing closed) and afterv thecar is fully positioned beneath the vretort the door Il is again closed. Any suitable means for effecting a tight joint between the doors lI0 and I8 and their respective guideways may be employed.

Suitable means must, of coursc, be provided-for into` the structure beneath y inoving the car `irl both directions along the trackaga Secured to each end of the car, in order that it may be used reversely, and extending outwardly therefrom, is a frame member I9, the under outer portion of which is formed with a pocket 20, open at its lower end to .receive the upturned end 2i oi' an actuating rod 22. Said rod, as will be seenv upon reference to Fig`. 8, rests upon guide rollers 23 and 24, the rod extending outwardly of the chamber I1. through a stuffing box 25.. Any suitable means for actuating the rod may be utilized and in the instant case there has been' shown an hydraulic cylinder 26.

When the car has been moved from the .position shown in Fig.-8 to the position shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, bumpers 21 secured to the frame member I9 will contact lxed abutments 28 secured to the frame-work of the structure.. Preferably these parts will be provided' with shims 29 and 33, respectively, so faced that when the car is moved into contact therewith the chargecarrying portion of the car or receptacle will be absolutely aligned with the lower portion of the retort. Any. other suitable means for securing registry of the receptacle lwith the retort may be utilized. Located below the retort is a lift or ram, the body or head whereof is preferably ccmposed of a series of crossed beams designated generally by 3| the' lower members of which are secured to and supported by the upper end of a piston rod working in an hydraulic cylinder 33. Tracks 32- are secured to the upper face of the uppermost-beams Also secured to the upper beams` and extending at right angles to the tracks 32 are inverted T-shaped structural elements or beams 5B. v

Said last named beams are of sectional form to admitoi the placement and securement of the tracks 32 which when the lift or'head is lowered align with the tracks I5 and form an extension thereof so thatthe car may be moved from the positionshown in Fig. 5 to that in Fig. 3. By having the T-beams 56 inverted no coal siftings may gather or lodge on the upper edges thereof, thereby ensuring contact between said edges and the grate when the head is raised. y

As a consequence, the head may be lifted Ior i moved through a xed distance at each operation with the assurance that the grate will be aligned with the ngers or bars I prior tothe inward movement of the latter. y

The head and tracks 32 are of such dimensions that they may' be moved upwardly through the receptacle and carry the charge supporting grate therewith, the latter of course likewise being of such dimensions that it will move freely through the receptacle or charge-containing portion of the car. The grate, however. is made of such size as to make aE relatively close t with the innei wall of the chargeo-receiving chamber so that .the material resting on the grate will not pass downwardly around the same.

When the car with its charge is moved from the position shown in Fig.l 8 to that of Fig. 3 the ram is` elevated and carries the charge and the. grate upwardly until the grate stands in alignment with the supporting fingers or bars I Iiwhic'h at that time are .retracted or in thev position shown in Fig. 3. The ends oi' these bars pass through guideways 34 formed in the fabricated members of the structure. a

When the grate and n'gers or. bars are in alignment the ram I4 is actuated and the-bars are .moved inwardly. The beveled ends of the tomatically controlled.

bars AIII contact the beveled faces II o f the grate bars 1, hence they are guided inwardly between the bars 1 without any shock or obstruction.

' Thus the grate is cleaned prior to its beingA lowered back into the charge holding chamber carried by the car upon a lowering of the head and rod. When such retraction takes place the charge which was in the receptacle and elevated therefrom is held in its elevated position, as shown in Fig. 8, by barsA I0. 'I'hese bars remain' in such position until another charge has been drawn beneath the same and moved upwardly into ycontact therewith by movement of .the lifting head or ram. When the upper face of the second charge contacts the bars Ill the bars are withdrawn and the upward movement of the ram continued so that there will be present in the retort, as shown in Fig. 5, two superposed The rods I0 will then be forced inl Wardly to maintain the superposed charges in` charges.

position and the ram vand grate again lowered. If desi-red, a third charge may be introduced and moved upwardly, depending upon the height of the retort I. It is not necessary in carrying out the operation that the charges be superposed as a single charge may be acted upon.

Located below the retort, and surrounding the ram, but standing in spaced relation thereto, is-

a pocket-like structure denod generally by 35. Connected thereto is anA oitake or suction pipe 36 which leads to the usual gas scrubbing equipment. out purposes.

Hand holes v31 are provided for clean-- Extending along the bottom of each side of the chamber 2 and placed inthe walls of the retort f are structural elements which form a track 38 upon which rest flanged wheels 39 arranged in pairs at opposite ends of a scraper or cutter 40. v

The bottom of. each" side of the scraper head is provided with a plurality of spaced teeth 4I arranged in horizontal alignment and so proportioned and positioned as to just clear the upper I end of the walls of the retort as the scraper is traversed back and forth within the chamber 2. 'I'he scraper or cutter is designed to be moved over the upper end of the retort to scrape or shear off the then protruding nished material and to push it out into a trough 42. One means of driving this head is shown. It comprises two endless chains 43 and 44 secured to outwardly projecting members at the lower portion of the 4scraper body and passing about sprocket wheels 45 and 46, respectively. These g sprocketl chains l and wheels, as vwill be best seen upon vreference to Fig. 6; are mounted in pockets formed in the wall of the retortand entrance .of coke, coal; or other .material undergoing treatment and being transformed into the pockets is'practically precluded by the construction described. The sprockets are mounted upon shafts 41 and 48 which have 4their bearings in suitable standards 4,3 and (see Fig.

.2) mounted in pockets vformed as a part of the housing oi' thev structure. Motion isimparted to the shaft 41, and consequently to the chains, through suitable gearing, such for instance as is shown in Fig.'l, through an electric motor au- The material which has been treated is scraped if into the trough 42 and where the dual arrangement of retorts is employed, as best lindicated in Fig. 2 the member Iii will be moved back and forth, first scraping the ilnished portion of the charge in the retort l* and then the similar material from I into trough l2.

A cohveyer belt 5| passes along through the trough 42 and removes the material placed therein, discharging it through an opening 52, the discharge of which is controlled by a pocketed wheel 53 (Fig. 3) to prevent the ingress of air. This belt may be continuously driven or periodically operated as Amay be found necessary or desirable. Other suitable means to the same endceptacle upon a car will be charged as above del scribed and then moved in past the doors I6 and Il successively. When it is positioned by-l contact between the bumper'elements upon the car body and the xed abutments 28 the ram will be raised, carrying the'tracks 32 upwardly against the grate, thereby forcing the .grate and the charge resting thereon upwardly into the retort until the grate comes into alignment .with the fingers or bars I0 which are then moved inwardly to` their full extent'. The lifting head or ram is then lowered permitting the grate to move down into the receptaclel 6, the charge remaining in the retort and beingsupported by the members I0. The car is then retracted and another charge brought in and the ram again elevated, the bars or fingers i0 being withdrawn during the upward movement'of the second charge and upon completionof such upward movement again inserted.

The combustion gases are drawn downwardly through the channels 55 under a vacuum which 'will' be varied according to the depth of the charge, as will be hereinafter referred to. The combustion gases will be drawn down through the checkerwork arch and by reason of the construction of such arch, as above set forth, will be evenly distributed over the entire eXDOsed upper surface ofthe charge.' l

'I'he combustion gases passing down through the predetermined spaced channelswhich are maintained throughout the charge will distribute the heat to the surrounding mass and gradually convert the same, At the same time the upper. surface is exposed to the direct actionof the gases and if coal be the material undergoing treatment it will be coked. When itis cokedto a given depth the charge is raised and the coked mass is sheared oi by causing the-member 4l to be moved through the chamber 2 over the upper end of the retort, the then projecting coke being carried forwardly into the trough l2.- vThis exposesa new surface ofthe material and this surface, together with 4the underlying layer is coked. The mass is then moved up andthe operation of shearing repeated.

In practice the gas passing out of the apparatus has a' temperature vof approximately 80 C.

spaans .whereas with the ordinary coke oven the outgoingtemperature has a range of approximately 1400 C. 'This is clear evidence thatthe heat is evenly distributed 'and absorbed through the mass in the present case, the heating taking place-from the top downwardly. The capacity of the machine is primarily dependent upon the degree of suction set up within the apparatus.

The layout ofl the present construction affords wide variation of operation, which variation is also effected by the size and spacing of the preformed channels 55 as well as the depth of charge undergoing treatment v The depth of the charge may vary from several inches to a greater or less number of feet and, as :lust mentioned, the size and=spacing of the preformed lchannels may be varied. Successful absorption of the heat of the fluid heating medium may be readily effected with various depths and the nature of the product produced likewise varied and controlled; thus, if one holds thetemperature for'a relatively long period of time a' harder and denser coke is produced than would be the case if the temperature were maintained for a relatively shorter period. We can completely carbonize a six inch body of coal within thirty minutes from a cold start, in which event it is necessary tolreplace the depth of charge every thirty minutes. The coke thusproduced would be light and uil'y, similar to wood charcoal. On Ithe other hand, it takes-several hqurs to carbonize abody of coal say four feet deep. The upper six inches of such a four foot charge would be at a carbonizing temperature for several hours, resulting in the production of a hard dense coke.

In each case of operation it is possible to satisfacforily proportion the spacers'and operating rate so that the operating temperatures of the i'luid heating medium and the exhaust gases would be identical. Therefore, the height of the body of coal is only dependent upon the grade of coke desired. Naturally, it requires considerably more power input to t e exhauster to draw the gases through a 4four oot bed of coal than in the case of a six inch bed. Furthermore, in changing from the thin to a thick bed, it is necessary to change .the centrer distance of the channels. With a thin bed, say vsix inches, the channels will be rela,-

' tively close, say approximately four inches from center to center, thus giving the depth of coal approximately-two inches between the spacers for the heat to penetrate by conduction. v

With a bed oi four feet, the spacers would be from eight to ten inches on centers, thus making a depth of coal between the spacers approximately six to eight inches.

In the rst instance, in which-we have a cycle of thirty minutes, to complete the operation it is essential to secure quick pene"ra.tion; whereas in a charge of four feet in depth it is not necessary to penetrate the charge throughout in less than several hours. The penetration of the heat throughout lthe mass of coal is of course necessary to a uniform heating of the charge. Therefore,vr the factors of height of the charge, timeof .operation.. andcenter distance of spacers may be varied to obtain diilerent densities of coke products. It has been found in practicethat we can vary the product from' a light fiuify char very similar to wood charcoal. to a dense metallurgical coke. Along with this variation in coke product, we have not experienced any -material variation in our tar yields; the reason being that no matter l where inthe body of coal the tardistillation is Ataking place, it will always run down the spacers,

and away from that zone of heat where lit is released from the charge, toward the lower cooler portion. In other words, immediately any tar is released from the coke it drops down through the channels vand is therefore not subjected to any higher temperature than that which obtained to release it. In other words, the tar is not crackei as it is in the ordinary by-product oven.

It will also be understood that the make ga's passing from the apparatus may be utilized and enriched if need be with any desired fuel for,- burning in the combustion chamber of the retort.

In fact any suitable heating lmedium may be utilized dependent only on the material to be treated.

It is also possible toburn any of the above mentioned fuels in an oxidizing atmosphere so that part of the heat is generated by the partial burning out o f the spacer material, as for instance nlsm which will accomplish the purpose set forth in the foregoing description.

As above noted, the drawings illustrate a dual arrangement of retorts.- It is to be understood, however, that a single retort may be employed or two or more retorts employed with a scraper as 40 common to all of them.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for treating carbonizable material, the combination of a retort having its lower end open; a chamber in communication with said end; an open top receptacle; a removable bottom for said receptacle, said bottom having openings therethrough; means for moving said receptacle into the chamber and beneath the retort; means located below and in line with the lower open end of the retort for contacting the removable bottom of the `receptacle and raising the same thereby moving it and a charge which may be resting thereon from the receptacle and into the retort; 4means movable into the openings in the bottom for arresting the descent of the charge when the bottom is lowered away from the charge treated; a false bottom in said receptacle, said bottom being formed with spaces through which the bars may pass when the bottom is in alignment with said bars; and means for moving said false bottom and the charge out ofthe receptacle into the retort.

y "3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a retort having an open bottom; a receptacle `for 'a charge to be treated; a removable bottom mounted in said receptacle and upon which the charge normally rests, said bottom being formed primarily from a series of bars standing in parallel spaced 'relation to' each athen-means for moving said bottom and the 1 charge thereon `from the receptacle'into. the retort; and av series or nser or supporting movable longitudinally of and between the bars of the removable bottom when the latter is within the retort and serving to holdlthe' charge within the retort upon removal of the removable bottom therefrom.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an open bottom retort; a receptacle; a false bottom for the receptacle and j upon which a charge of material to be treated may be placed, said false bottom comprising a series of spaced bars each being beveled at one end of the bottom; means fonmoving the false bottom and the charge out ofthe receptacle and into the retort without internal disturbance or rearrangement of the component elements' thereof a series of finger bars located inline with the lower portion of the retort, the free ends of said bars being pointed at least from the upper face downwardly; and means for moving said bars inwardly between the bars of the false bottom, whereby a support for the charge is produced permitting the withdrawal of the false bottom without disturbance of theV charge.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the upper surface of the supporting or nger bars lies in a planehbelow that of the upper surface of the bars of the false bottom, whereby said ng'er bars' may be moved 'inwardly without disturbance of a charge resting upon the false bottom.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combinationof ak retort having ariopen bottom; a receptacle in which a chargel to be treated is placed; a false'bottom within' said receptacle and upon which a charge may be placed, said bottom being 'formed from a plurality of spaced bars standing in parallel relation, the ends of each of the bars at one side of the bottom being beveled in a vertical direction throughout the lower major portion thereof; means contacting the removable bottom and carrying the same upwardly, -together with a charge which may be placed thereon through the receptacle and into the retort; a

`series of nger supporting bars. located in line within the retort; and means for moving said iinger supporting bars inwardly between the bars of -the false bottom, thereby forming a temporary support for a charge and permitting the with drawal of the false bottom therefrom. f

'7. A structure as set` forth'in claim 6, wherein the supporting bars are secured to a header at inwardly of the first door and adjacent the lower' end of the reto'rt; means for actuating said doors; track'age extending through the chamber; a car; a receptacle carried by the car and having a false bottom; a ram in vertical alignment with the` lower end of the retort and having a portion of the trackage thereon, said trackage and ram being of'4 such' dimensions as to pass freely upwardly through the receptacle; means for moving said ram upwarily;` and means-operative to hold a charge within-the retort after' it has been pushed outwardly from the receptacle in Awhich it has been previously placed by the ram andnfalse bottom.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein means is provided for moving the car ver the y trackage, said means beingoperat'ed from with-'g out the chamber.- I 10. In an apparatus of the character specied, the combination of a pair of vertically disposed retorts standing in spaced relation to each other;

a trough located intermediate vsaid retorts; a combustion chamber iocated above each retort; means for introducing a gaseous heating medium into said chamber; means for drawing the com-v bustion gases down through the retorts andv .Patent No. 2,029,763;

jIRAIH. DERBY ETl A1.. t.

chamber and the upper portion of the retort, said arch having a plurality of openings extending therethrough from the retort to the combustion chamber with' the lower portion voi' each of the walls defining such openings having an inclined face, such faces incining outwardly to each side of the center of the arch. l

IRA H. DERBY. HAROLD R. HORNER.

Certicate of.

February 4, 1936.

vIt. is hereby that errors appear in the printed specification of the above I' numbered patent requlrmg correction as foilows: Page 3, second column,1 line 9, for

page V5, second co1umnline 14,-c1aim 4,' before internal insert substqmial; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein that the same Tg conform to the recordof the case in the Patent Oice.

Signed and Asealed [SEAL] 25th day of February, A. D. 1936`- Y LESLIE FRAZER, f f Acting .Commissioner of Patents..

means is provided for moving the car ver the y trackage, said means beingoperat'ed from with-'g out the chamber.- I 10. In an apparatus of the character specied, the combination of a pair of vertically disposed retorts standing in spaced relation to each other;

a trough located intermediate vsaid retorts; a combustion chamber iocated above each retort; means for introducing a gaseous heating medium into said chamber; means for drawing the com-v bustion gases down through the retorts andv .Patent No. 2,029,763;

jIRAIH. DERBY ETl A1.. t.

chamber and the upper portion of the retort, said arch having a plurality of openings extending therethrough from the retort to the combustion chamber with' the lower portion voi' each of the walls defining such openings having an inclined face, such faces incining outwardly to each side of the center of the arch. l

IRA H. DERBY. HAROLD R. HORNER.

Certicate of.

February 4, 1936.

vIt. is hereby that errors appear in the printed specification of the above I' numbered patent requlrmg correction as foilows: Page 3, second column,1 line 9, for

page V5, second co1umnline 14,-c1aim 4,' before internal insert substqmial; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein that the same Tg conform to the recordof the case in the Patent Oice.

Signed and Asealed [SEAL] 25th day of February, A. D. 1936`- Y LESLIE FRAZER, f f Acting .Commissioner of Patents.. 

